Betriebserlaubnis

Betriebserlaubnis is the official permit required in Germany to operate certain devices, vehicles, or equipment on public roads or in public spaces. It attests that the item complies with applicable safety, environmental, and technical requirements laid down in road traffic and product legislation. The term is often used in connection with the Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE) and the Einzelbetriebserlaubnis (EBE). An ABE provides a general approval for a class of products or modifications, allowing installation on any vehicle of the same type if conditions are met; an EBE applies to a specific item or a specific installation.

Betriebserlaubnis is issued by the competent authority, usually the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) or state authorities, sometimes after assessment by recognized testing organizations such as TÜV or DEKRA. For vehicles and vehicle parts, it is closely linked to national and European type approvals. The status and scope of the approval are typically indicated by a certification number (ABE or EBE) that must be respected during use, installation, or modification. In some cases, approval is shown in the vehicle registration documents or on the part itself.

It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that a device or modification has a valid Betriebserlaubnis or is covered by a corresponding EU type approval. If a device operates without proper approval, or if its use exceeds the approved conditions, it may be considered street-legal noncompliant, potentially resulting in fines, insurance issues, or mandatory removal of the device.

In practice, Betriebserlaubnis supplements general type approval and harmonizes national requirements with broader EU standards, while still leaving national authorities the authority to enforce compliance.